What does your business headshot say about you?

A headshot is a face, or head and shoulders photograph generally used as an avatar to represent you on your business profiles, online or in printed media.

It goes without saying, that as your headshot represents you in business, it needs to look professional.  Too many professionals are using shots which look..

• ·      Amateur-ish with nasty yellow colour casts
• ·      poorly focused
• ·      poorly lit
• ·      ..or God forbid, taken in a bar..

If your headshot is any of the above, I would suggest, that in order to salvage some respect from your audience, you get rid of it now.  With an inappropriate headshot (and that simply means a bad or “social” photograph), you are suggesting to the world that you either cannot be bothered to invest 15 minutes on your marketing, or that you lack respect for the people that take the trouble to look at your pages.  

..BUT I LOOK THE SHIZZEL!

You probably like the picture because it makes you look thinner, or younger, but seriously, all your prospects and colleagues care about is... 

• ·      Do you look like you know what you are doing?  
• ·      Do you look professional?  
• ·      Do you look like you have the confidence to deal with their enquiries in an appropriate conduct?  
• ·      Do you look approachable?

If the answer is "yes" to all these questions, then an extra chin, wont put them off contacting you. (In fact, it may even make them believe you have been able to indulge as a result of your success!)

Please, if you do one thing this week, invest in a good headshot, and if you don't want to hire a photographer, then here are a few tips to help you achieve a great image, yourself!

HEATHER'S TIPS FOR A TOP HEADSHOT

1.  LIGHTING

 The word "photograph" doesn't mean "drawing with light" for nothing.  You need light, plenty of it, and the right colour.

If you are going to photograph yourself in your home, and you want a nice white background, choose a north facing window and shoot into the light.  Don't be scared, it works.

NEVER use a photograph where the light looks yellow - its nasty, and yellow light is generally associated with cheap hotels or poor white balance (aka you don't know what you're doing..)  Stay away from blue light too (unless you are working a murder scene..)

The free stuff that comes from the sky, during the day is great.

2.  LOOKING GOOD!

Dress appropriately!  This is an investment in yourself and your business, so think about it.  Dress to impress.  If you were going to an investor, what would you wear?  Then wear it.  Your headshot is the only visual, your contacts know about you, as opposed to your business.  Chances are, there will only be a glimpse of your clothing anyway, so we aren't talking a huge investment here..

3.  FILL THE FRAME

A photo of a nasty room with you in it, is not a photo of you.  Your head needs to fill at least 60% of the frame for it to be a headshot.  If you don't like yourself on camera, don’t worry -  This is about your confidence to carry this off, and your confidence in your business, not whether your nose is big.  (Incidentally, if your nose is big, (like mine) photograph your face, straight on and no-one will know!)

4. SMILE

Yes I know - cheesy right?

Admittedly I'm not smiling on mine, but I was wearing braces on my teeth so do you blame me?  A smile is an invitation to say hello - a gesture that you are open to conversation, a way of letting the viewer know you are human and want to connect..  It's friendly, and it gives the impression you do at least have a sense of humour - so what can be wrong with that?  

You don't like your smile?  Neither do I, but my smiley pictures are the ones that make me look happy and confident which is how I like to be perceived by my peers.  When I meet a customer for the first time, do I stay pan or frown at them..?  No, I smile!

5.  CLARITY

This is your professional headshot so it needs clarity, just like your business.  It needs to be sharp, like you, and it needs to mean something.  If you want to add a prop, do it, but keep it simple.  If you want to add humour, great - that shows you are confident, but don't do anything that is in danger of offending anyone in any way - sounds obvious, but you'd be surprised..

6. KEEP IT SIMPLE - STUDIO STYLE?

Want this look?  Fine - its safe and in no danger of being misconstrued as a night out with the lads, so yes.  Photograph yourself in front of a white wall or get an A2 piece of foam board (about £2 for your stationer) and go for it.

7.  POSTURE

I would suggest you stand as you can drop your shoulders and elongate your neck.  If you do have that extra chin, look up into the camera placing the camera slightly above you, then you'll get that lovely shape of your original chin - always a bonus.

8.  PRO STYLE?

Ok, so there are a few of my many tips, but I don't want to bore you..

So if you're still not happy, then as little as 30 minutes and a £60 investment, could get you the headshot you've always wanted, so I'm here if you need me!  (and yes, I do airbrush...  Phew!)

Good luck!  Heather x